Field Work Vehicle Finish-Level Detection and Operator Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional work vehicles cannot acquire or present the finish level of work performed at each position in a field, limiting operator feedback and work quality control.

Innovation Solution

A work method and system that includes a travel control unit, work control unit, and detection unit to perform work travel in a field and detect the finish level at each work position, with the ability to display this information to the operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional work vehicles are used to perform work travel in a field, then work can be completed, but the finish level of work cannot be acquired or presented to the operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinish level informationVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection unit continuously monitors the finish level of work at each work position and provides this information back to the operator through the display unit. This allows the operator to see the actual work quality and make real-time adjustments to maintain consistent finish levels across the entire field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and subjective assessment of work quality with an automated detection system that uses sensors and processing units to objectively measure and quantify the finish level of work, substituting mechanical measurement with electronic detection and data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If no detection unit is installed, then the device complexity is low, but work quality control and operator feedback are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework finish levelVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit provides continuous feedback on work quality metrics, enabling the operator to make precise adjustments to maintain high finish levels. The system measures actual work outcomes and compares them against desired standards, providing actionable feedback for quality control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit acts as an intermediary between the work machine and the operator, translating physical work outcomes into measurable data that can be displayed and analyzed. This intermediary layer enables objective quality assessment without requiring direct manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If finish level detection is implemented at each work position, then work quality can be monitored, but information processing and presentation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinish level measurementVSAvoiddata processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The field is divided into multiple work positions, and the detection unit measures finish level at each segmented position independently. This segmentation allows for localized quality control and enables the system to process and display data in manageable units corresponding to specific areas of the field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital representation or map of the field showing finish levels at different positions, copying the physical work quality state into a visual format that can be easily displayed and analyzed on the display unit without requiring complex physical measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4265092A1Work method, work vehicle and work system
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4265092A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4265092A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4265092A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a work method, a work vehicle, and a work system capable of acquiring the finish level of work performed in a field, and presenting the finish level to an operator. [Solution] A tractor 1, which is a work vehicle, includes a control device 13. The control device 13 operates as a travel control unit 45 and a work control unit 46 that perform work travel in a field, and a finish detection unit 47 (detection unit) that detects a finish level of the work at each work position in the field after performing the work travel.